On July 26, 1875, just over 1,200 citizens voted in the first elections to the Bombay Municipal Corporation. The 64...
Blog Articles
This traditional Parsi wedding in Mumbai carried ritual and revelry to a historic racecourse
For the Zoroastrian wedding ceremony, Sanaya Irani wore a custom Ashdeen ivory gara sari while Varaz Printer opted for...
Phiroz Dorabji Mehta
Phiroz Mehta was born on 1st October 1902 in Cambay, India. There were 5 generations of the family in the house where he was born at the time. His father was the chief superintendent of the Ceylon...
Zarathushtra and the Origins of Zoroastrianism: Book Launch Announced
We are happy to announce the upcoming launch of a beautiful coffee table book edited by our dear friend Meher Bhesania of Dubai UAE. “Zarathushtra and the Origins of Zoroastrianism” will be launched...
Kitty Irani: In Memoriam
Our dearest friend and mentor Zerbanoo Gifford pens this beautiful obituary on the passing away of her beloved mother Kitty Irani. The last of those who studied under the famous child psychologist...
Tehran Anjuman Welcomes FEZANA President Homi Gandhi at Farvardingan Prayers
FEZANA President Homi Gandhi was invited as a Guest of Honour by the Tehran Zoroastrian Anjuman to celebrate the Tehran Farvardingan ceremony. This year, the Farvardingan ceremony was held at the...
Navroze with the San Francisco Bay Area’s Zoroastrian Community
Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic faith that began in ancient Iran over 3,000 years ago. The Bay Area happens to be a hub for the Zoroastrian community, whose global population has dwindled to just...
Karachi’s Legendary Metropole Hotel Site to be Pakistan’s first 6 star Luxury Hotel
Mega Conglomerate to build Pakistan’s first six-star international hotel on site of near-abandoned Hotel Metropole spread over 4 acres KARACHI: In an exclusive interview with Profit, ‘mystery...
Change Comes to Delhi Parsi Anjuman
Our dear reader and friend Rusi Sorabji informs us …. From President Kapadia to Kapadia and after 93 years a lady named Khullar….Ava Khullar The Delhi Parsi Anjuman all through its 93 years...
Cyrus Poncha: The architect of India’s squash empire
Most of the successful coaches that we see around today are familiar faces. But usually their fame precedes their coaching careers and we know them from their years on the professional circuit. Be...
In London, This Artist Rebuilt a Mythical Sculpture Destroyed by ISIS
When Michael Rakowitz first visited London in 1984, his family treated him to a grand tour of the city’s cultural attractions. On the loftier end of their itinerary was the British Museum, where the...
Abode in Amritsar
“It is all like a dream now…” I stand in the thicket and look over the board to read an article written about my grandmother. The bulletin is full of clippings on the great Mrs. Bhandari. For...
Shapurji Saklatvala: The British MP who was ‘the most important Indian nationalist’ outside India
The third Indian to be elected to the British Parliament, his support for the independence movement would get him labelled the unofficial ‘Member for India’. Courtesy: National Portrait Gallery In...
Zoroastrian Faculty Network Formed
Announcing Formation of the Zoroastrian Faculty Network (ZFN) – A Joint Project of the GWG and WZCC Dr. Farrokh Mistree has been a long term advocate for WZCC to develop a Zoroastrian Faculty...
Karachi’s Mama Parsi School Celebrates 100 years
Karachi’s legendary Mama Parsi Girls Secondary School celebrated its 100th birthday on Sunday, April 1, 2018 In 1918, Jamshed Nusserwanjee Metha collected donations to establish the school....
Online dating is saving the ancient Zoroastrian religion
Zarin Havewala doesn’t call herself a professional matchmaker, but her track record suggests otherwise. “So far, 55 couples have found their partners through my efforts — 53 couples are...
21 Days to Nawroz By Michelle Mama
Kurdistan, “The Other Iraq”, has been held up as a shining example of peace in the Middle East since US sanctioned protections were put in place in 1992, but how has this experimental democracy...
Youth Leading The Way To A Stronger Global Zarthushti Community
What happens when 4 Dasturjis, 2 architects, 2 therapists, 2 Lawyers, an advertising exec, an entrepreneur, a paramedic, a filmmaker, a sommelier, a colonel in the US army, a political consultant, a...
Book journey leads to NASA
Imagine standing up at the podium at NASA’s Goddard Space Centre in Washington DC, USA, and lecturing to some of the world’s best brains on leadership, sustainability, conflict and peace? Well,...
Turning Tables World Premiere – Press Release
Tanya Hoshi Our dear friend and brilliant young Zoroastrian filmmaker Tanya Hoshi's latest project, "Turning Tables", will be having its World Premiere in Toronto at the Hot Docs International...
Parsi Delegation Meets PM Narendra Modi On Navroz
On 20th March, 2018, a 16-member Parsi delegation from Mumbai and New Delhi met the H’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Parliament House, New Delhi. The delegation, organised and led by...
The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: NoRuz, the Zoroastrian New Year
Zoroastrian New Year NoRuz Observations Highlight Parliament Themes of Love and Inclusion What started over 3000 years ago in Iran during the height of the great Achaemenian Zoroastrian kings— the...
Set Myself Free by Feritta
Some things are just meant to be, and some things come with a lot of blood, sweat and tears. ‘Set Myself Free’ the new single by Feritta is the culmination of both. Feritta, a...
Aban Marker-Kabraji on the Afia Salam Show
Our dearest friend and mentor Aban Marker-Kabraji recently won the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz Award. Below is an interview that Aban did in 2012 on various issues. Aban spoke about the youth of Pakistan must...
Russi Ghadiali Award Long Service Award by IRO in Singapore
We are happy to report that our dear friend Russi Ghadiali of Singapore received the Long Service Award from the Inter Religious Orgaisation Singapore on the 69th IRO Day (69th Anniversary) Rustom...
Navroze Mubarak: Make Good News
On the occasion of Jamshedi Navroze 2011 Parsi Khabar would like to wish all its readers and commenters a very Happy and Prosperous Jamshedi Navroze Mubarak 2011. We would like to leave you with a...
The evergreen educator: Ratamai Peer
A total absorption in her work coupled with frequent walks is Ratamai Peer’s mantra for sound health at 91 Article by Parinaz Madan and Dr Dinyar Patel published in the Parsiana, re-published with...
World Zoroastrian Young Leaders Forum Kicks Off At ASHA Centre in the UK
The ASHA Centre in Gloucester United Kingdom welcomed 19 young Zoroastrians from all over the world for a 10 day leadership forum starting from Friday March 16th to 25th 2018. Mentored and...
Aban Marker-Kabraji Conferred Tamgha-i-Imtiaz Award by Pakistan Goverment
We are thrilled to share the news that our dear friend and mentor Aban Marker-Kabraji has been conferred the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz award. Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence), is a...
Shareyaar Event App and IdeaIndia
Parsi tech entrepreneur Sheriyar Patel is the mastermind behind two new ventures in the mobile and digital realm. The first is the ShareYaar Event App ShareYaar App lists events by location and...
Parsi Gate At Marine Drive Mumbai to be restored soon
The Parsi Gate, a heritage structure located just opposite Taraporewala Aquarium at Marine Drive, will soon be restored by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The place is used by Parsi...
In the Kitchen: Nowruz celebrates spring
Last month was the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and now March brings the celebration of the Persian/Iranian New Year, Nowruz, which starts on the vernal equinox (March 20 this year in the States)....
Parsis to promote and fund start-ups of youngsters from the community
The group intends to collect Rs5 crore and disburse the amount within next two months. To revive the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ among Parsi-Zoroastrians, the community has decided to fund business...
Dr. Farhang Mehr: A Pillar of Strength and Faith
Around the world, Zoroastrians mourn the loss of one of their brightest lights. By Lylah M. Alphonse Dr. Farhang Mehr rose through the ranks of academia and politics in Iran, shaping economic policy...
WZCC Plan to help Parsi Entrepreneurs
World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce – India (WZCCI) and WZO Trust Funds (WZOTF) are delighted to announce a joint plan to support entrepreneurs / professionals / start-ups by funding selected...
Avestan A new Fragrance Line
Our dear friend Adil Mistry points us to the launch of a new fragrance labelled Avestan Georgia Murray at Refinery 29 writes… The upcoming launch, Avestan, is named for the sacred Eastern Iranian...
Singaporean Musician Zephyr Khambatta Smashing Cultural Boundaries Overseas
Yangon, Myanmar was the stage last week for Zephyr Khambatta’s duo Stadiums to launch their debut single The Other Side, featuring Charles ENERO, Singapore’s top battle rapper. The song premiered on...
Jashne Sadeh – A Historic Celebration at Zoroastrian Association of California
Our dear friend Meher Amalsad sent us this beautiful write up of the Jashne Sadeh in Los Angeles, California Meher Amalsad writes … On February 18, 2018, under the esteemed guidance of our ...
March 8 proclaimed by United Nations in 1977 as International Women’s day
On the occasion of International Women’s Day we feature an Op-Ed by our very dear friend and mentor Dolly Dastoor March 8 proclaimed by United Nations in 1977 as International Women’s day On this...
Iranshah Atashbehram – A Documentary
A local Indian TV channel shot this short documentary on Udvada and the Iranshah Atashbehram. The documentary has some very unique aerial drone videography that shows aerial views of Udvada and the...
Veteran actor Shammi dies at 89
She acted in many movies and quite a few popular TV serials such as ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’ and ‘Zabaan Sambhal Ke’ among others. Veteran actor Shammi, who acted in over 200 films and some popular...
Teenaz Javat Awarded Absolutely Fabulous Woman Over 40 Achievement Award in Mississauga Canada
We are happy to hear that our good friend and award-winning journalist Teenaz Javat was awarded the “Absolutely Fabulous Woman Over 40 Achievement Award” by the City of Mississauga, on the occasion...
Jehanbux Bhadha Reminisces about Life as a Paratrooper in the Indian Army.
Commodore Medioma Bhadha (Retd.) writes of a letter exchange between his brother Colonel Jehanbux Bhadha (Retd.) and himself, where Jehanbux speaks about his days as a Paratrooper in the Indian Army...
Suspension of Banaji Atashbehram priest questioned amid dwindling Parsi population
Since last year, the community has been trying to stop the rapid decline in the number of Zoroastrian priests through Jiyo Parsi and Jiyo Mobed Workshop Article by Yesha Kotak | Hindustan Times...
Farhang Mehr Passes Away
As per a communique from FEZANA…. FEZANA announces with great sorrow the passing away of Farhang Mehr. Farhang Mehr passed away in southern California in the early morning on March 4, 2018. Farhang...
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
A timeless exploration of high-stakes romance, self-discovery, and the lengths we go to love and be loved. Tanaz Bhathena debuts her first novel A Girl Like That recently. About A Girl Like...
Parsika’s classic delicacies tickle Parsi palettes
Launched on September 1 last year, Parsika is an effort by four Zoroastrians to help our community do what it does best – eat to its heart’s content. As their Facebook page so honestly...
BPP trustees move court over defamatory articles
Owner of Mumbai Samachar to appear in HC on Feb. 16 Mumbai: Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) have approached the Bombay High Court over a series of news reports published in a supplement...
Mourning CCI to recall happy times with late president Kekoo Nicholson
Kekoo Nicholson, president of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), passed away last morning at Parel’s Global Hospital of a liver ailment Kekoo Nicholson, president of the Cricket Club of India...
The Persian Crosses: Naqsh-E-Rustam
Naqsh-e Rustam is an impressive necropolis that stands as a reminder of the once famous and powerful Achaemenid Persian Empire, which thrived between 500 BC and 330 BC when it was defeated by...
We are the warriors of the Light
Our dear friend and whiz adman Rayomand J. Patell wrote the following on a social media post today. We are the warriors of the Light. Our Fire Temples try to gently remind us of this. When Europe...
The Story of Parsi Enterprise
Catch the story of Parsi entrepreneurship and how they made their way from shipbuilders and traders to India’s leading industrialists. Also, catch the one link with the bygone days and old...